WAR AND PEACE
UK, 2016, 372 minutes, Colour.
Paul Dano, Lily James, James Norton, Adrian Edmondson, Aisling Loftus, Greta Scacchi, Jack Lowdon, Tuppence Middleton, Aneurin Barnard, Jesse Buckley, Olivia Ross, Tom Burke, Jim Broadbent, Callum Turner, Rebecca Front, Stephen Rea, Gillian Anderson, Matthieu Kassovits, Brian Cox.
Directed by Tom Harper.
This is a lavish six-part BBC drama. Previous versions of War and Peace include the 1956 King Vidor version with Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn. There was also a lavish Russian production during the 1960s.
With such a long running time, this version was able to incorporate the key sequences in Tolstoy’s large novel, the characters, the events, the atmosphere of the Napoleonic wars, sets and decor, invasion, the Russian experience of the war, the defeat of Napoleon and his retreat, the consequences of war and the move towards peace. The dialogue also provided opportunity for reflective sequences echoing the ruminative and philosophical chapters of the novel.
Lily James, very popular in cinema films and on television, was Natasha. James Norton was the dashing but shamed hero, Andrei, contrasting with Paul Dano as the philosophical Pierre.
The direction was by Tom Harper and there was a large cast of international character actors in support.
1. The status of the novel, of Tolstoy and his contribution to literature and human thought?
2. The 19th century, the vision of Russia, Russian society, classes, culture, the experience of war?
3. The background of Napoleon, his ambitions, to conquer the world, across Europe, moving east, to Russia and the invasion? The battles, Austerlitz and Borodino? The visuals of Napoleon, in command, his offices, strategies, of the battle field? The desire to conquer Moscow, his advance, the battles on the way, setting fire to Moscow, his presumptions, lack of supplies, the retreats?
4. Tolstoy, his ruminations on the meaning of life, the philosophical essays in the novel? Their being transferred to the character of Pierre, ultimately towards Andrei?
5. Miniseries, the possibilities of six hours for narrative, the visuals, the characters and situations? Costumes and decor? The wealthy classes and their life, socials? The contrast with the poorer, the serfs, the losses during the war, fleeing their homes and villages? War and its aftermath on each class?
6. The narrative centring on Pierre, Paul Dano’s presence and performance? His background, illegitimate, his father, the will, leaving him his possessions? The background of the various members of the family, their schemes to get the inheritance? The reactions, plans?
7. Pierre, as a character, his age, awkwardness, drinking, irresponsible? The arrangement for the marriage with Helene, his relationship with her, an arrangement, the effect on each of them, living together? Her promiscuity and betrayals? His disappointment, disillusionment?
8. The Rostova’s, the father, genial character, his optimism? The mother, practical, concerned, hard, intervening? The decisions and the concerns? Nikolai, young, his position in the family, getting a posting on the war, on the battlefield, his work, delivering messages? His friend and his being led astray, the gambling sequences, impetuosity, the debts, going to his father, his father accepting them? Yet the poverty of the family? The invasion, the family and the experience of war, losing the house? The continued laments of the mother, her hardness and decisions? Sonia always present, Nikolai and his relationship with her, his roving eye? Her fidelity? His meeting Maria, attraction to her? The family setting for Natasha?
9. Natasha, Lily James and her screen presence, age, vivacious, her place in the family, her wisdom? Her continued friendship with Pierre and admiration? The encounter with Andrei, meeting, the possibilities, his father demanding his absence for a year? The effect on Natasha, letters, the seducer and his effect on her, society, her being prepared to go with him, moral and emotional confusion, her ultimate shame, supported by Sonia? The return of Andrei, the breaking of the relationship? The war, losing the house, Andrei arriving, care for him, reconciliation, his death? Pierre coming to her, the relationship and the marriage?
10. Russian society, the hostess, the balls, the meals, music, the effect of wealth, gossip, the various protégés? The effect of Napoleon’s attack, the burning of Moscow?
11. Pierre, welcoming his friend from the war, sponging on him, the betrayal, with Helene? The buildup to the duel, the challenge, Pierre and his awkwardness, his friend wounded? Later appearing fighting in the war?
12. The Russian general, his strategies, with Andrei, with Nikolai, his being urged to attack, the various battles, the Prince and the demands? The men, Napoleon and his attack, the defeat, the fields of the dead? His for telling that Napoleon would eventually retreat?
13. Pierre, on the farm, meeting the Masons, his conversion experience, the effect, his concern, altruistic?
14. Andrei, his wife, pregnant, with his father, the difficult birth, his presence, her death? Andrei and his involvement with the battles, the initial wounds, wounded again? His wife’s death, going to a hermit, working on his farm, his demanding father, delivering the message, meeting the Rostov’s, the attraction to Natasha, away for a year, longer? His father’s death? The return, Natasha and her care, his death?
15. Andrei’s father, bombastic, the running of the household, his love for his son, his dismissing of Maria? Orders, eccentricities? Expectations about the war, the war effort, to attack Napoleon, his collapse and death?
16. Maria, as a wallflower, in the household, her French companion, the father and his nomination, the rogue and his proposal, her refusal? The encounter with Nikolai? Leaving home, the serfs, the Rostov’s, care, her father’s death?
17. The combination of Napoleon’s invasion and his retreat?
18. The picture of the new Russia, Pierre and Natasha, the family? Hope?
